Brown trout caught in Milwaukee harbor recognized as world record

A 38-inch brown trout caught by Eric Haataja in the Milwaukee harbor has been certified as a world record in the all tackle length division by the International Game Fish Association.

Jack Vitek, IGFA record coordinator, said Haataja’s application had been approved and would be posted to the organization’s website Tuesday.

Haataja, a fishing guide from West Allis, caught the fish Dec. 16, 2011.

After measuring and photographing the fish, Haataja released it. The records are officially entered in metric units – Haataja’s catch measured 97 centimeters.

The all tackle length division was created two years ago by the IGFA as a catch-and-release category. Anglers are required to photograph the fish on top of an IGFA tape measure.

The fish “must be measured by anglers at the site of capture and released so that it swims away on their own and in good condition,” according to IGFA literature.

The previous brown trout all tackle length record – a 28-inch (71 cm) fish entered by James Schmid of Fort Collins, Colo. - had also been caught in the Milwaukee harbor.

Haataja’s catch-and-release record further substantiates the reputation of the Wisconsin waters of southern Lake Michigan as a world-class brown trout fishing destination.

The all tackle record for the species was caught by Roger Hellen of Franksville off Racine in July, 2010. That fish weighed 41.5 pounds and is recognized as the world record by both the IGFA and the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

The photo below shows Haataja holding the world record fish with downtown Milwaukee in the background. Photo courtesy of Eric Haataja.